Friday, October 10, 2014

Who should have won Nobel Prize for Peace?

Who should have won Nobel Prize for Peace?
In the evening of 24 February 2012, Rinkle Kumari, a 16 year old student of Mirpur Mathelo, in a small village in the province of Sindh, was kidnapped to satisfy the lust of a Muslim scholar. The Muslim scholar had “political cover” provided by Mian Mittho, an elected National Assembly Member. Nand Lal, girl’s father and his family had to take refuge in a Gurdwara in Lahore after the complaint. On 25 February, as soon as Rinkle saw her family in the court, she screamed before the judge and pleaded to let her go to her mother.  The judge, however, had to inform her parents that if they insisted on taking Rinkle along, they would be responsible for the destruction that might follow – killing of 2,000 Hindus of district Ghotki.
The local judge ordered that the girl should be given to Muslims, because her conversion is “the result of a spontaneous decision” and also stated that the marriage was above board. A claim that was repeated on February 27 at the hearing before the court, and the girl was “renamed” Faryal Shah. On March 26, Rinkle Kumari appeared before the judges of the Supreme Court in Islamabad. She said: in Pakistan, “there is no” justice, “kill me here but do not send me back” to the kidnappers. On 18 April 2012 Supreme Court of Pakistan handed Rinkle Kumari to her “husband” (kidnapper).
However, the story of Rinkle is not an isolated case: every month between 25 and 30 young girls, that is, about 300 girls a year are delivered into the hands of their torturers in Pakistan.
The Internet doesn’t say what happened to Rinkle after that fateful “judgment.” However, the Internet does have information about another 16-year old girl from Pakistan in great detail.
In the same year, another girl named Malala Yousafzai boarded her school bus in the district of Swat. A gunman fired three shots at her wounding her to the point of near death. She was subsequently sent to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in BirminghamEngland, for intensive treatment and recovery. On 12 October, a group of 50 Islamic clerics in Pakistan issued a fatwā against those who tried to kill her.
United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown launched a UN petition, using the slogan “I am Malala”.  She was on the front cover of the 29 April 2013 issue of Time magazine, as one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World“. She was the winner of Pakistan’s first National Youth Peace Prize, and Sakharov Prize, 2013. On 16 October 2013, the Government of Canada announced that the Parliament of Canada would confer Honorary Canadian citizenship upon her.
In February 2014, she was nominated for the World Children’s prize in Sweden. In April 2014 it was announced that Malala would be granted an honorary degree by the University of King’s College in Halifax.  Malala then spoke before the United Nations in July 2013, and met with Queen Elizabeth II in Buckingham Palace and in September 2013, she officially opened the Library of Birmingham. In the same month, she spoke at Harvard University, and in October she met with U.S. President Barack Obama . In July 2014, Malala spoke at the Girl Summit in London, advocating for rights for girls. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was the first to sign a petition requesting that Malala receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown requested that McKinsey consultant Shiza Shahid, a friend of the Malala family, chair Malala’s charity FUNDhttps://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png, which had gained the support of Angelina Jolie. Google’s vice president Megan Smith also sits on the fund’s board.
In November 2012, the consulting firm Edelman began work for Malala on a pro bono basis, which according to the firm “involves providing a press office function for Malala.” The office employs five people, and is headed by speechwriter Jamie Lundie. McKinsey also continues to provide assistance to Malala.
On 12 July 2013, Malala 16th birthday, she spoke at the UN to call for worldwide access to education. The UN dubbed the event “Malala Day”. Yousafzai received several standing ovations. Ban Ki-moon, who also spoke at the session, described her as “our hero”. Malala also presented the chamber with “The Education We Want”, a Youth Resolution of education demands written by Youth for Youth, in a process co-ordinated by the UN Global Education First Youth Advocacy Group, telling her audience:
“Malala day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.
It is perfectly understandable if Malala just didn’t have the time to speak for fellow girl Rinkle Kumari. I am not sure if Rinkle’s religion could have been a reason for it. I am also sure that none of the countries which gave away awards including the Nobel Committee  to Malala were aware about Rinkle Kumari or were they aware of her religion?


Sunday, March 16, 2014

Riverfront Vs Riverfront


 

Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project is as unique for riverfront development as it is for social inclusiveness. Although the project has been acclaimed and awarded on various facets, both nationally and internationally; it's social inclusiveness hasn't been understood and appreciated yet.

 

Ideas of developing Sabarmati River began in 1960s. In 1997, Sabarmati Riverfront Development Corporation Ltd. was formed by Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation but work began in 2004. In 2012, KPMG, included Ahmadabad's Sabarmati Riverfront Development Project (SRDP) in the list of ‘100 Most Innovative Projects’ towards urban regeneration.

 

True appreciation of an achievement is possible by 'Comparison and Contrast Method'. Following is a comparison between 'Yamuna Riverfront Development Scheme', New Delhi with SRDP.

 

The Second Master Plan of Delhi - 2001, stated: " The possibilities in respect of river Yamuna have been studied in depth and indications are that it could be channelised within 550mt. width and an area of about 3000-4000 hectares could become available for river front development" (DDA 1999)

 

DDA prepared a Rs 18 billion (at March 1992 Prices) development scheme for Yamuna riverfront. (Gupta 1995). The scheme envisaged development of 8000 hectares of riverbed area for recreational, residential, commercial, institutional and public purpose with private sector funding to the extent of over 60% of the total project cost. ('Inside the Transforming Urban Asia: Processes, Policies, and Public Actions'  edited by Darshini Mahadevia.)

 

Rumu Banerjee, Times of India (May 3, 2010) reported "With the LG giving it the nod, DDA is going ahead with its Yamuna project which will see land on both sides of the river being greened and developed. Work on the first stretch will start in a few months and the project should be completed in five years."

 

Richi Verma, Times of India The Yamuna might soon get a new lease of life, with Delhi Development Authority's ambitious riverfront development project being put on the fast track.

 

Darpan Singh, Hindustan Times (September 26, 2013), reported: "Experts from Delhi University, JNU and IIT-Delhi will submit a plan for restoration and development of the dirty Yamuna banks in 30 days. The Centre has decided not to implement a riverfront development plan prepared by the DDA and has set up the panel to "critically examine and review it".

 

While the riverfront development in Yamuna is yet to start, lot of things related to it have happened in Yamuna in the name of development, such as removing slums.

 

"What the Eye Does Not See: The Yamuna in the Imagination of Delhi, by Amita Baviskar published in Economic & Political Weekly, December 10, 2011, Vol xlvi No 50" is my source on the status of Yamuna and Yamuna Riverfront Development Project.

 

Since 1980s, the encouragement of Congress politicians led to settlement of 3,50,000 squatters on both sides of Yamuna by 2004. In 2004, defecation along the Yamuna became the ground of demolition of their homes. An estimated 1,50,000 were displaced in one week of June from Sanjay Amar Colony, (western side) of river. Mohammad Faim broke down and cried. “Nineteen years in this city”, said the white-haired native of Siwan, Bihar, “and I have to return empty-handed. How will I show my face in my village?” Until a few weeks ago, Faim was known to everyone in his neighbourhood as “Prem Hotelwala”, the owner of a successful dhaba in Sanjay Amar Colony. He is not alone, standing by the rubble of his demolished home, Abdul Barik gestured to the squalor around him, “You think we want to live like this? We are also human. We also want to live decently, without fear of being harassed and uprooted. But there is no other option.”

 

As per Delhi government policy they were eligible to receive, a plot of 18 square metres (upon payment of Rs 7,000) to 12.5 square metres. Resettlement colonies such as Bhalaswa and Holambi Kalan were with no amenities, and 20-30 kilometres from people’s place of work (Menon-Sen and Bhan 2008). Only 16% of displaced were given plots. Evictions from the east bank in the summer of 2006 left more than 50,000 squatters homeless, most received no compensation.

 

As far as slums are concerned, Sabarmati riverbed was no exception. Exception came in the form of dealing. Nearly 12000 hutments on both banks occupied nearly 20% of the critical project area. A committee was formed under an ex-High Court Judge for finalization of beneficiaries. A Comprehensive Settlement was arrived at under the supervision of the Gujarat High Court. More than 10000 families have already been allotted houses of 26.77 sq m carpet area, in the prime locations of city. 9078 families, i.e. 6 Christian, 3874 Muslims and 5198 Hindus; have already shifted and remaining are under process. Complex has playing area for kids along with recreation facility. To empower women, houses are allocated in the name of the woman member or in joint name.

 

The SRDP revived the financial condition as well. Gurjari Bazaar is an age old Sunday Market, where women traders comprise close to 40% (half of these describe themselves as Dalits). The bazaar provides livelihood for an estimated 200,000 lower-income residents. Bazaar operated near Riverfront without any infrastructure and used to spill out on the adjoining roads. It was unhygienic and had the risk of flooding.

 

Today it is the first well developed informal market in India. A MoU was signed between the Ahmedshah Gurjari Association and SRD Corporation. Out of 1200 members of association, 726 members (60.5%) are Hindus and 474 members (39.5%) are Muslims. Now it's spread over 70,000 sq.mt on the river front and 1600 vendors can do their business on 778 pucca platforms and 783 laris. Parking space is provided for 280 two wheelers, 425 four wheelers (1700 two wheelers) and 8 heavy vehicles. Lights, toilets, food-court, drinking water, and seating area have been provided. More than 800 trees have been planted.

 

Washer man who use the river are accused of polluting the river, but it was different in Ahmadabad. There were nearly 172 Dhobis using the river bank for washing. They were relocated into the Dhobi ghat, constructed on the eastern bank spread over approx. 9400 sq.mt area, which has RCC road, lighting and parking facility in compound wall. It has 7 blocks, each block with 24 units i.e. 168 units. Each with water supply ( with water meter) and drainage system. Pulley has been provided to take the cloth on first floor for drying.

 

This is in sharp contrast to what happened in Yamuna. “Cleaning” of Yamuna, didn't take the form of installing sewage treatment facilities but entailed removal of people. Rivers are an intrinsic part of religion, but in her 22 km-long flow through Delhi, Yamuna is neither revered nor respected. Worshippers have to bathe in sewage.

 

Again, condition of Sabarmati was not different, but it changed. An interceptor sewer system was constructed on both the banks of the river to intercept the sewer running into the river through 36 drainage and divert it to the treatment plants.

 

Today, Sabarmati river plays an important role for all religious groups. Lord Jagannath is worshipped, with the Sabarmati water before the Rathyatra starts, Jains perform group Parna (Releasing fast though a ritual) and procession of Tajiya by Muslims concludes at the river.

 

Yamuna in Delhi is remembered only during floods or land scams. By 2007, selectively cleared of its encroachments, the Yamuna riverfront become a money spinner. Emaar MGF, the Dubai-based real estate developer was to build the Games Village under a public-private partnership arrangement. The DDA allotted 27 acres of prime land for free to the company to build 1,168 luxury flats for athletes and officials. Under the terms of the contract, the firm would sell two-thirds of the flats while DDA would sell the remainder. Later the company appealed to the government for help sighting financial constraint and the DDA responded by giving it an interest-free loan of $100 million, to be repaid in the form of additional flats.

 

Transparency in SRDP is routine. Cost of SRDP was estimated to be around INR 11520 million or USD 230 million. The proceeds from the sale of land created by the project is expected to cover the cost of the project, including the interest paid on construction, period loans and repayment of equity investments. The sale of portion of reclaimed land (not more than 14% of reclaimed land, though allowed to sell 20%) is envisaged to recover the cost without stretching the public funds.

 

The then Chief Minister of Delhi, Sheila Dikshit had frequently mooted the idea of channelising the river in a manner resembling the Thames in London and the Seine in Paris, with the river fitting into the cityscape as a site of recreation and leisure, with cultural performances and other modes of public consumption. But the use of land so far has kept all these at bay and infact disconnected people and river.

 

In contrast to this, on the banks of Sabarmati an area of 60,000 sq mt, has been designated for hosting events like Kite festival, Marathon, Cyclothon, Garib Kalyan Mela (for the urban poor) etc.

 

The diaphragm walls in the bed of the river and retaining walls along both banks have created a channel for the river, stopping erosion and protecting the city from flooding. Two-level, continuous promenade on both banks is built for pedestrians, cyclists and to provide access to the water. What it means is that there will be no more private ownership of any part of the river bank. The river bank has 4 gardens and one urban forest with space for meditation for common public.

 

Several other benefits of this project are like recharging of ground water owing to  continuous presence of water in river, decongestion of major north – south road by providing additional linkages road to parallel roads running along the river front etc.

 

Inclusive development that SRDP has achieved is truly unique. Never before has an urban infrastructure project, covered all sections of society and created world class facilities for the entire city to enjoy.

 

Dean Nelson, The Telegraph (24 February 2014), UK reported: 'Indian holy river more toxic than ever despite 600m make over'. He wrote "The Yamuna, a river revered in Hindu theology, is now a sewage drain by the time it reaches Delhi, according to a report by the Indian parliament."

 

In New Delhi, Yamuna is an anomaly, an embarrassment; while in Ahmadabad, Sabarmati is part of life, source of pride, felt in the gut.  

 

Saturday, February 15, 2014

The unfinished work on Wendy Doniger


The unfinished work on Wendy Doniger

Wendy Doniger's 2009 book, "The Hindus: An Alternative History" for the last four years was involved in a legal battle, with Hindus for the  "defamatory, insulting and objectionable" reference to Gandhi and the Hindu gods a violation. In a recent court order, the publishers of the book Penguin India have been asked to destroy all copies of the book.

While Doniger has expressed hope that while the courts may 'pulp' the copies, the internet will keep the book in circulation. Yes she is write, that the internet will keep the book alive; but it will also remind everyone, what happened to the book. Even without internet, Ramayana is alive till date and everyone knows what happened to Suparnakha.

Ramayana doesn't ends with Suparnakha, but begins. And, similarly the pulping of book should not be considered an end but the beginning of fight against evil.

Wendy Doniger, was awarded the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism award for 'The Hindus: An Alternative History'. Looking at the Ramnath Goenka's leaning and interest one can easily conclude that he would have never approved of the award to Wendy Doniger. The person to be blamed for this should be non other than Sekhar Gupta, editor-in-chief of The Indian Express.

This is not the only anti Hindu activity of Sekhar Gupta. He has been on it. Just to site an example:  Editors like Shkehar Gupta play a advisory role particularly in the subjects of Pakistan and Kashmir writes J N Dixit in his book "Makers of India’s Foreign Policy". What does Shekhar Gupta writes : Get out, leave Af to Pak, Indian Express, 19 November 2011. The news says 'What kind of strategic importance does Afghanistan have for us now? Yes, we need transit to Central Asia. But to reach Afghanistan, we have to first persuade the Pakistanis to grant us transit. The more we jostle with them for influence in Afghanistan, the lesser the chances of their being so nice to us. ...' . In reality India Share 80 KM boundry with Afganistan; yes, it is currently occupied by Pakistan. But it has not given up its right over it. But the advisor to government of India has given it to Pakistan.

So the unfinished work are:

1. Asking Indian Express to withdraw the Ramnath Goenka Award given to Wendy Doniger.

2. Asking Indian Express to remove Sekhar Gupta from Indian Express.

The above two actions will not salvage the Ramnath Goenka Award from the depth it has gone to. To get the award it's glory back, it needs to be accepted by an eminent author.

I could think of Shri Rajiv Malhotra to be that author. Not because he first exposed Wendy with his work and coined the term “Wendy’s Child Syndrome” but for his seminal work on Hinduism. (It might be humongous task to persuade Shri Rajiv Malhotra to accept the award.)

The greatness of Ramayana and Mahabharat is the ability to Rama and Krishna to finish the task, take it to its logical end. When Kings like Prithviraj Chouhan forgot this, it's not only they who paid the price through their life but the price was also paid by India as well as Hindus and is being paid till now.
Hope and pray, we Hindus learn to take the task to its logical end.